Being a DoorDash driver can seem appealing to some people.
You spend all day in your car and drive to different locations in your area.
You’re able to earn some money as a driver for DoorDash but you also earn money through tips.
Before you sign on to become a DoorDash driver, however, it’s a good idea to know what expenses you need to prepare for.
In particular, it’s worth knowing if DoorDash is going to pay for your gas or not.
Does DoorDash Pay For Gas?
No, DoorDash does not pay for gas for its Dashers.
Instead, drivers are responsible for all gas costs.
This can make working for DoorDash potentially expensive.
For example, if you live outside a main city or suburb, you might have to travel far just to get to restaurants.
Since you’re not reimbursed for your gas, you might experience higher gas costs since you have to travel to areas where restaurants are.
This is also problematic for Dashers who want to serve a wider area.
Some neighborhoods are quite far from food sources.
While you might get lucky and manage to pick up a few orders for people in the same neighborhood, chances are, you’re going to be driving a lot.
If the cost of the delivery and tips aren’t enough, then most of your paycheck might just be going to gas rather than to your other expenses.
Before you join DoorDash, it’s a good idea to determine if the cost of gas might eliminate the opportunity to make a profit.
What Expenses Do DoorDash Drivers Need To Cover?
Gas isn’t the only expense that DoorDash drivers have to cover.
Here are some of the expenses you’ll need to cover if you want to be a DoorDash driver.
1.Car Insurance
One of the biggest expenses you’ll face each month is car insurance.
In many states, you’re legally required to have car insurance if you want to drive a car on the street.
As such, this isn’t an expense that you can get around.
Depending on what insurance company you use, your insurance rate could be quite high.
It all comes down to the age and type of car you’re driving as well as your age.
If the insurance company knows you’re a DoorDash driver, then they might also give you a higher rate.
Since you’re on the road more often than other people, you’re seen as a higher risk.
DoorDash won’t help with these monthly payments.
The average full-coverage insurance rate amounts to over $2,000 a year.
If you’re not making enough money through DoorDash’s tips and base pay, then your car insurance might be a big drain on the money you do.
2.Car Maintenance
Since you’re going to be driving your car a lot, you’re going to want to keep it in good shape.
If you don’t have a car, then working for DoorDash will be a lot more difficult.
Some lucky Dashers live in communities where everything is close together, so they can deliver on foot or by bike.
For everyone else, if you don’t have a car, then delivering on time is going to be difficult.
Car maintenance can be cheap if you keep up with it each year.
Oil changes, filter changes, and tire services are all annual or bi-annual services to consider.
While they can help your car last longer, they do add up.
You may find that your earnings from DoorDash aren’t quite enough to cover those costs.
3. Tolls And Parking Fees
A final expense you’ll need to consider is toll and parking fees.
If you have to drive on the highway a lot to get from one area to the next, then you might face tolls.
Some states offer an annual pass for local drivers that can help with cost savings, but this is still something you’re going to need to budget for and pay.
If you don’t have the pass, then you’re going to have to spend time paying tolls each time you use the highway.
That can add up over time.
Parking fees are another expense you might face.
If you can’t park anywhere without paying a fee, then that’s also going to detract from your earnings.
DoorDash doesn’t help cover those fees either.
You may find that with all the fees you need to pay, you’re not making enough as a Dasher.
How Much Money Can You Make As A DoorDash Driver?
DoorDash claims that drivers are able to make around $25 per hour.
A large part of that stems from tips that the driver earns.
That’s because DoorDash only gives a base pay of between $2 and $10 for each delivery.
A few factors determine the pay that Dashers receive.
For one, the distance from the driver to the delivery point can influence the pay.
If the distance is far, then drivers will receive more money.
The desirability of the delivery also impacts its price.
For example, if the order has been sitting around for a while, then DoorDash will increase the base pay to encourage drivers to pick it up and deliver it.
Time is the third factor that influences base pay.
If it takes a long time to deliver, then the delivery is going to cost more money.
Tips are another way that Dashers can earn money.
Most of your profit is going to come from tips.
That’s why some Dashers focus on deliveries from customers who offer high tips.
If the customer doesn’t offer any tip, then a Dasher might only earn $2 on the delivery.
Finally, DoorDash also uses bonuses, challenges, and promotions that increase the amount that a driver can earn.
As such, the amount of money that a DoorDash driver can earn varies.
You might earn around $25 per hour like DoorDash claims, or you might earn a lot less once you consider the expenses that you need to pay.
What Are Some Tips For Maximizing Earnings As A DoorDash Driver?
To cover the expenses you need to pay, it’s important that you know how to maximize your earnings.
Consider these tips to increase how much you earn as a Dasher.
1. Know Busy Hours
A lot of the bonuses, challenges, and promotions you’ll see from DoorDash occur during peak times.
That’s because this is when people need DoorDash drivers the most.
Learn about the busy hours in your area and prepare to work hard and fast during those hours.
It doesn’t hurt to know which restaurants are the most popular so you can get there early to take advantage of the opportunity.
2. Be Mindful Of Distance
You also need to consider how far the distance is between yourself and the delivery address.
While DoorDash will pay you for longer distances, you also have to consider if it’s worth the extra strain on your car.
You may need to do a bit of budgeting and financial planning to see if those long distances are actually worth it.
3.Maintain Excellent Customer Service
Tips are an essential part of making a lot of money through DoorDash.
The best way to earn tips is to maintain excellent customer service.
If clients remember you, then they’re more likely to tip you better to encourage you to take their orders.
Having a consistent supply of regular clients can be a great way to earn sizable tips.
4. Work For Several Different Apps At The Same Time
Just because you’re a DoorDash driver doesn’t mean you can’t also work other delivery gigs.
You might want to increase your earnings by working for Uber Eats or a shopping gig at the same time.
If you plan accordingly, you can do all your deliveries in the same area and earn a lot of money.
It takes a lot of planning, but you can maximize your earnings this way.
5. Use A Fuel-Efficient Car
Finally, if you are able, you should try to switch to a fuel-efficient car.
The less you have to spend on gas means more money in your pocket.
One of the first purchases you should make with your funds from DoorDash is a new, fuel-efficient car.
NEXT:
What Time Does McDonald’s Open? (Updated 2023)
